0 of 64 packed
Documents & money 0/12
Tech 0/8
Clothes for heat, churches and late nights 0/10
Pickpockets & valuables 0/5
Health & toiletries 0/8
Driving 0/5
Hiking, beaches & the Camino 0/5
Traveling with kids 0/5
Before you leave home 0/6
Clear every tick on this list?
What to add, month by month
The basics above work all year. This is what to add for the month you travel. Spain's regions have very different climates: the same week can bring snow in the Sierra Nevada, rain in Galicia and beach weather in the Canaries. What catches Americans out is the summer heat inland, cold winter nights on the Meseta, and how late the evenings run.
| Months | Madrid, Castile and Andalusia | Barcelona, the Mediterranean and the islands | The green north |
|---|---|---|---|
| December to February | A warm coat, layers, a hat and gloves for Madrid, where January highs are about 50°F (10°C) with frosty nights; Andalusia is milder, but stone houses are cold indoors | A warm jacket and layers on the mainland coast and in Mallorca; for the Canaries, summer clothes with a sweater, since coastal highs are around 70°F (21°C) | A waterproof coat, warm layers and waterproof shoes; rain is likely in any week |
| March and April | A light jacket, a sweater and an umbrella; dressier clothes if you will watch Holy Week processions | A light jacket and layers; the sea is still cool for swimming | A rain jacket and warm layers; snow lingers in the Picos and the Pyrenees |
| May and June | Light clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen, with a layer for evenings; Madrid's spring highs run 64–75°F (18–24°C) | Light clothes, a swimsuit and sun protection; beach season starts | Layers, a rain shell and hiking boots for the mountains |
| July and August | The lightest clothes you own, a church cover-up, a hat and a water bottle; Seville and Córdoba average near 96°F (36°C), and heat waves pass 104°F (40°C) | Beachwear, a cover-up for town, reef shoes for pebble coves and high-SPF sunscreen; often over 90°F (32°C) in Mallorca | Summer clothes plus a sweater and a rain jacket; highs in the 70s°F |
| September and October | Summer clothes into September, then layers; Madrid's October highs are about 66°F (19°C) | Summer clothes and a swimsuit; the Mediterranean is still warm, but pack a rain jacket for autumn storms | Layers and a waterproof jacket as the rain returns |
| November | A warm jacket and an umbrella; Andalusia often stays mild and sunny | A jacket for the mainland; many Balearic beach hotels close for the season, while the Canaries enter their high season | A winter coat and waterproof shoes |
Watch out
Several Spanish cities, Barcelona among them, fine people for walking around in swimwear or shirtless away from the beach, and churches and cathedrals turn away visitors in very short shorts or with bare shoulders. Keep a light cover-up in your day bag. See etiquette.
What to leave at home
- US hair dryers, flat irons and curling wands that run on 120 V only. On Spain's 230 V they will burn out or catch fire, even through an adapter. Use the one in your room or buy one in Spain. See phones, plugs and apps.
- Meat and dairy from home. You cannot bring meat or dairy products into the EU from the US, including beef jerky, salami, cheese and the sandwich from the plane. Packaged snacks such as granola bars, crackers and candy are fine. See customs allowances.
- A wardrobe of only shorts and tank tops. You may be refused at cathedrals, and you will feel underdressed at dinner. Pack at least one outfit that covers shoulders and knees.
- Heels and new shoes. Cobblestones, hill towns and miles of walking punish both. Bring shoes you have already worn for a full day.
- Cannabis and THC products in any form. Leave them at home, even if they are legal where you live.
- Euros bought at your US bank or the airport. Exchange desks give some of the worst rates you will see; a fee-free US debit card at a Spanish bank ATM almost always comes out ahead. See money.
- A huge suitcase, if you are traveling by train. You lift your own bags onto trains and up stairs in old buildings, and bags go through a security scanner at big stations. One medium bag each is easier. See getting around.
- Large amounts of cash, unless you declare it. You must declare €10,000 (about $11,200) or more when entering or leaving the EU.
Not sure what the weather will be? Check our month-by-month guide. For pickpockets and emergencies see safety, for the rental car see driving in Spain, and for timed tickets see the Alhambra and Sagrada Família guides.